101 Things To Do This Summer In Greater Fort Lauderdale

And Just as Many Ways to Play

 

From 31 vibrant communities and miles of golden beaches to one-of-a-kind attractions and fun summer events, there is so much to enjoy in Greater Fort Lauderdale. To get the summer vacation ideas flowing, we’ve put together unforgettable experiences for the 101 Days of Summer, kicking off with Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Check them out, find your perfect place to stay, and get ready for your best summer vacation ever!

Fun For Everyone Under The Sun

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  1. Bet on a thoroughbred horse at Gulfstream Park. See all gaming and casino offerings.

  2. Enjoy a round of golf on one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s world-class courses.

  3. Go on a deep see fishing adventure. Then cook your catch at the Rusty Hook Tavern. 

    A man fishing

  4. Hop on the Water Taxi to cruise through waterways filled with mansions and superyachts and hop off to shop and dine along Las Olas Boulevard. 

    Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

  5. Take a bike ride along the 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and marvel at the dramatic coastal views of Hollywood Beach. 

    Hollywood Beach

  6. See an authentic rodeo at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, the only South Florida city with an original western motif.Bergeron Rodeo Grounds

  7. Climb the 175-step spiral staircase in the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse to see an amazing view from its 138-foot top. Hillsboro

  8. See a superstar live in concert at Hard Rock Live or FLA Live Arena.

  9. Watch a cricket tournament at the Central Broward Park And Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.Cricket at Central Regional Park

  10. Explore Fort Lauderdale’s glamorous past at the charming Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a historic and whimsical 35-acre estate located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale beach. 

    Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

  11. Visit the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale to see its permanent collection of 7,500 works and exciting summer exhibits. Free on the first Thursday of every month! 

  12. Take a segway tour along the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale.Fort Lauderdale Segway Tours

  13. Charter or bring your own boat and cruise more than 300 miles of inland waterways. 

    Las Olas

  14. Enjoy the cool summer air and cocktails among aerialists, stilt walkers, fun-house activations, and performances on Saturday nights at The Carousel Club in Hallandale Beach.

  15. Hit the velodrome – one of only three in the Southeastern U.S. and the only one in Florida – at Brian Piccolo Sports Park & Velodrome in Cooper City.

  16. Saddle up for a horseback ride at the Equestrian Center at Temple Park in Parkland or at American Horse Trails in Southwest Ranches.

  17. Take a cruise on the Jungle Queen Riverboat, complete with humorous commentary, then debark on a tropical isle for an all-you-can eat BBQ ribs and chicken dinner and variety show. Family fun at its finest! See other sightseeing cruise options.

  18. Reconnect with nature as you follow the boardwalk through 23 acres of pristine freshwater marsh and nature trails at Tree Tops Park in Davie. See all parks and nature offerings. 

    Tree Tops Park

  19. Enjoy a hike and an amazing look at wildlife at Snake Warrior’s Island Natural Area in Miramar, part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. See all parks and nature offerings.

  20. Try your luck at one of the area’s many casinos.Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and lagoon

  21. Climb (or take the elevator) to the 68-foot observation tower or follow the boardwalk to see wading birds and other native wildlife at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, which stretches 20 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway. See all parks and nature offerings. Anne Kolb Nature Center
  22. Catch a comedy show, followed by bowling at Dania Pointe. See all shopping offerings.

  23. Take a gondola cruise along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and see why we’re called the “Venice of America.”Nighttime gondola

  24. Explore local history and heritage on a guided historic walking tour along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

  25. Get an adrenaline rush as your experience indoor skydiving with iFly in Davie.Ifly

Arts & Culture

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  1. Visit the Miramar Cultural Center for award-winning, international Caribbean and African cultural presentations. See all arts and culture offerings. 

  2. Get inspired at the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, the largest walkable mural project in Greater Fort Lauderdale, featuring more than two dozen curated contemporary outdoor murals.Downtown Hollywood Mural Project - Mermaid
  3. Check out the summer lineup at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and prepare to be dazzled by Broadway shows, top comediennes, big-name musical acts and more. See all arts and culture offerings. 

  4. Get ready for 'wow' moments at Greater Fort Lauderdale's first immersive digital art museum - Mad Arts - in Dania Beach.

Mad Arts Museum

Things To Do With Kids

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  1. Treat your kids to the Funky Fish Ocean Camp, named a ‘Top Children’s Program in the World’ by Travel + Leisure magazine.

  2. Explore everything from Florida’s diverse habitats to unbelievable prehistoric animals in 200+ hands-on exhibits, plus the first-ever MAGNA-TILES Studio, at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. See all attractions. 

    Museum of Discovery

  3. Activate imaginations and spark creativity in the immersive galleries at Young At Art Museum in Plantation.

  4. See more than 20,000 live butterflies from every corner of the globe at Butterfly World, the largest butterfly park in the world right here in Coconut Creek. Butterfly World family

  5. Dive right into the Tigertail Aqua Challenge, an 8,000-square-foot inflatable water obstacle course and playground that includes a trampoline, jungle gym, gigantic bouncing dome and a freefall climbing wall with a slide.​

  6. Visit Flamingo Gardens in Davie to explore 60 acres of breathtaking nature, including 3,000 species of plants and trees and 90 species of Florida native animals. 

    The Flamingo Gardens

  7. Fill your day with splashes and smiles at the Paradise Cove Water Park (at C.B. Smith Park) in Pembroke Pines, where kids can enjoy waterslides, a tube ride and interactive water playgrounds.

  8. Take a break from the sun and treat kids of all ages to Xtreme Action Park, the largest indoor entertainment venue in Fort Lauderdale, featuring go kart racetracks, laser tag, bowling, roller skating and more.

  9. Let your kids become pirates for an afternoon aboard a cruise with Bluefoot Pirate Adventures.

Shopping In Greater Fort Lauderdale

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  1. Shop till you drop at the Galleria Fort Lauderdale. You can even take the Water Taxi there! See all shopping offerings.

  2. Find something fabulous at Sawgrass Mills, home to 350+ stores and 70+ exclusive, luxury outlets including Burberry, GUCCI, Prada, Tory Burch and Versace. See all shopping offerings. 

    Everyone Under The Sun Shopping

  3. Shop at Gulfstream Park for fashion, art, home furnishings and more, then enjoy all of its exceptional dining and entertainment offerings. See all shopping offerings. 

    Gulfstream Park


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Places To Eat And Drink

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  1. Discover specially curated menus, inventive cocktails and exclusive culinary experiences at150+ restaurants participating in Visit Lauderdale's annual Dine Out Lauderdale from August 1 through Sept. 30 throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale.

  2. Wine and dine and revel in the festive sidewalk atmosphere on Las Olas Boulevard, home to dozens of amazing restaurants and bars.

  3. Enjoy delightful Italian specialties and live music at Runway 84, a recently reimagined Fort Lauderdale institution. Explore more in our thriving dining scene.

  4. Climb aboard a Cruisin’ Tiki to see the sights and enjoy a cocktail. See other sightseeing cruise options. A floating bar titled Cruisin Tiki in Fort Lauderdale, FL

  5. Feast at the next generation of food halls, The Bite EaterySistrunk Marketplace or Baoshi.

  6. Dine at 15th Street Fisheries, where your kids will love feeding the hungry tarpon that hang around the dock.

  7. Unleash your inner foodie at the area’s best brunch spots.

  8. Take the Craft Food Tour for culinary delights and interesting tidbits from lifelong locals.

  9. Celebrate the roaring 2020s at the area’s growing speakeasy scene. 

    Unit B

  10. Take a trip back in time to Cap's Place Island Restaurant. Not a board has been changed in this island beach shanty since it was frequented by FDR and Churchill during World War II. 
  11. Dine at The Katherine and savor the taste sensations of Chef Timon Balloo, honored as a 2023 James Beard semifinalist “Best Chef of the South” – one of only 20 chefs in six southern states!
  12. Embark on a champagne sunset cruise on one of the many sailing charters.
  13. Enjoy Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and mermaids swimming in the background at the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale. Can’t-miss photo opportunity!

  14. Get your caffeine fix at the area’s top coffee shops.

  15. Enjoy the destination’s signature Everyone Under the Sun craft hefeweizen at Gulf Stream Brewing Company. 

    Gulf Stream Brewery's Everyone Under the Sun Beer

  16. Join the fun on the Peddle Pub – and get some exercise in the process! 

  17. Hit the Ale Trail and enjoy specials like buy-one, get-one-free pints with a Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail Passport. 

    Your Guide to the Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail graphic

  18. Get even happier at happy hour. 

    Happy Hour On Yacht

  19. Cozy up to the bar at the iconic Elbo Room, the hotspot featured in the 1960’s film “Where the Boys Are.”

  20. Take a tour of the Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, then enjoy a cold one and some food in their spacious taproom. See all breweries along our Ale Trail. 

    Funky Buddha Brewery

  21. Visit Las Olas Boulevard’s Hof’s House of Sweets, home to an entire wall of candy and chocolates from around the world. See all culinary offerings.

  22. Enjoy a front-seat view of the ocean and the sound of the waves along with delicious seafood at the Quarterdeck Dania Beach Pier.  See all culinary offerings.

  23. Dock and dine at one of many waterside restaurants here in the world’s yachting capital. 

    Shooters Outdoors

  24. Visit Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour in Dania Beach and explore the novelty toys and nostalgic candy at its country store. See all culinary offerings.

Dog-Friendly Things To Do

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  1. Enjoy a vacation with your dog and spoil them with everything from a plush bed to bacon-flavored ice cream at a Greater Fort Lauderdale pet-friendly hotel or resort.

  2. Take your four-legged best friend to the Bark Park and Dog Swim at Snyder Park.

  3. Give your dog his day at Canine Beach! Located at the second set of parking spaces north of Sunrise Boulevard on A1A.

  4. Enjoy “Yappy Hour” with your pooch at Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe along the Intracoastal in Lighthouse Point.

Free Things To Do

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  1. See a free, family-friendly movie under the stars at ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood any Friday night. 

    Arts Park at Young Circle

  2. Pack a picnic and head to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, one of the best places in Greater Fort Lauderdale to see shorebirds and seabirds. See all parks and nature offerings.

  3. Take a long hike or bike ride along the Everglades Conservation Levee Greenway trail in Coral Springs and capture stunning sunset photos over the vast open space overlooking the Everglades. See all parks and nature offerings.

  4. Get your perfect Instagram moment with the Beach Ball Water Tower at the North City Beach Park in Hallandale Beach.

  5. See the 27-foot-tall “Thrive” sculpture at the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk (across from The Wharf bar). The massive piece depicts a fairytale-like woman in a rustic concrete exterior opening up her chest to a fern-lined passageway.

  6. Stroll, people-watch and fish at the 900-foot Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach.

  1. Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the Great American Beach Party on Saturday, May 27th on Fort Lauderdale beach. Enjoy live music, water slides, a kids zone, a military tribute and much more!

  2. Celebrate American Caribbean Heritage Month with live music, food and entertainment at The LOOP Fort Lauderdale Beach on June 2-4. 

  3. Celebrate the 15th and 16th days of summer at Floatarama, June 10-11. The weekend event features a spectacular Flotilla of decorated vessels on Saturday and a Sailor’s Dance & Pool Party on Sunday. All proceeds will support at-risk LGBT+ youth.

  4. Join the ultimate celebration of love, acceptance, equality and inclusivity, the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, June 17th in Wilton Manors. Explore ways to celebrate Pride Month in Greater Fort Lauderdale. 

  5. Our 39th day of summer is Fourth of July! Enjoy big name bands, games, arts and crafts and more at Fort Lauderdale beach’s Fourth of July Spectacular, culminating in fireworks at 8:45pm.

  6. Don your decorated winged floatie and join the FlockFest celebration of LGBT+ culture on Saturday, July 8th, dubbed “The Hottest Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale.”

  7. Enjoy the delights of one of the local weekend farmers markets such as the Las Olas Oceanside Park Farmers, Antiques and Artisan Market or Hollywood’s Yellow Green Farmers Market.

  8. Celebrate your last day of summer with special Labor Day events throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale all weekend long.



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  1. Barhop in Wilton Manors, Florida’s LGBT+ capital. See all nightlife offerings.

  2. Dance the night away at DAER Nightclub. See more nightlife offerings.

  3. Wine and dine under the stars at a rooftop bar, such as Rooftop@1WLO, Sparrow, Sunset Club Rooftop Bar or The Easton. See all nightlife offerings. 

    Nightlife LGBT Rooftop

  4. Enjoy a refreshing dip and music from a master DJ at a rooftop pool party.

Water Activities

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  1. Experience the magic of a full moon kayak tour at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. See more parks and nature offerings.

  2. Fly above the water on a flyboard with Aqua Flight.

  3. Scuba dive or snorkel around a living coral reef with an astounding variety of fish and critters at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea or in Hollywood Beach – two of the only beaches in the continental U.S. where you can do so right off the beach – no boat required!

  4. Jet Ski underwater on a SEABOB with Beach Ventures.

  5. Take an airboat ride in the world-famous Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston. You’ll get an amazing look at wildlife, from exotic birds like peacocks, bald eagles and wading birds to alligators and Florida panthers. Save with the South Florida Adventure Pass and enjoy other family-friendly attractions.

    Copy of Everyone Under The Sun Airboat Diva

  6. Explore the area’s vast waterways on a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP). Or try SUP yoga!

  7. Ride the waves on a surfboard or take surfing lessons with one of the area’s many providers.

  8. Get an adrenaline rush with the Flowrider Surf and Bodyboard Machine at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.

  9. Waterski or wakeboard at Ski Rixen USA in Deerfield Beach, one of the first cable water-skiing parks in the nation.

  10. Do the Fort Lauderdale “Wreck Trek” – scuba dive three shipwrecks, the Merci Jesus; Jay Scutti and Tracey – all in one dive! See more scuba offerings.

Health & Wellness

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  1. Revel in a relaxing massage in a cabana overlooking the ocean at The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton. See all spa and wellness offerings. 

  2. Clear your mind and restore your soul with a session in a zero gravity vibrational lounger with a meditative headset at the Evara Beach Spa. See all spa and wellness offerings.

  3. Enjoy a peaceful morning on the beach with sunrise yoga at W Fort Lauderdale.

  4. Realize the health benefits of halotherapy with a visit to Vita Salt Cave in Pembroke Pines. See all spa and wellness offerings.

  5. Leave your worries, aches and pains behind with a floatation therapy session at the Float8 Wellness Lounge in Deerfield Beach. See all spa and wellness offerings.

  6. Experience 14,000 square feet of pure paradise and every treatment under the sun at the Diplomat Spa in Hollywood. See all spa and wellness offerings.